Mint 12 Desktop Shortcuts

CincinnatiKid · 05-05-2012, 07:11 PM

How can I take an item off of the menu and put it on the desktop, for example for firefox?

CincinnatiKid · 05-05-2012, 08:11 PM

This is totally weird, I have heard Mint is supposed to be for newbies, I have been using various distros for years, but Mint is the only distro that I have not been able to figure out how to make a shortcut on the desktop or a toolbar. I feel stupid asking, but I seriously can't figure it out. There have been 64 views to this post, but no answers which makes me think most other people don't know how to do this either.

yancek · 05-05-2012, 08:28 PM

Take a look at the link below. It's for Ubuntu but I used this on a newer version of Ubuntu as well as Mint12 and it works. I think the software was installed already on Mint but no on Ubuntu. You could try creating the launcher first and if you get an error, install the software:

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-cre...10oneiric.html

Have you tried the standard method, left mouse-click on an application in the menu and drag to the Desktop. I don't have Mint installed so I can't test whether this still works.

Different method below for Mint12:

http://www.itworld.com/software/2335...-linux-mint-12

Or the same instructions down the page at the Mint site, Section 1b.

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=86813

CincinnatiKid · 05-05-2012, 08:34 PM

I tried left clicking and this does not work in Mint 12 default DM which is Gnome 3. I am anxious to try the links, I am going to boot into my Mint install and see if it works. I will let you know the results.

CincinnatiKid · 05-05-2012, 08:45 PM

It seems that this is the simplest procedure to create a desktop launcher.

Code:

1. Open Gedit and paste this into a new document:

gnome-desktop-item-edit ~/Desktop/ --create-new

2. Save the document as "Create New Launcher" in the ~/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/ directory.

3. Go to your document in the directory above and then right click it.

4. Go to the permissions tab and check "Allow Executing File As Program."

5. Go back to your desktop, right click it and then choose Scripts from the menu. You'll see a new "Create New Launcher" option on the menu.

I actually can't believe this, such a simple th to ing has such a complex answer. I'm gonna try Gnome classic to see if it is easier there.

CincinnatiKid · 05-05-2012, 08:47 PM

In Gnome classic you can left click and drag a launcher from the menu, I'm gonna use it I guess.

CincinnatiKid · 05-06-2012, 09:41 PM

In Gnome classic on Mint 12, once a program launcher is added to the top toolbar, it can't be deleted (at least I can't figure out how to delete them). If anyone can figure it out, please let me know. I have never had such issues with any other distro. I may switch to something else, but I just thought I would give Mint a shot.

EMilstone · 05-12-2012, 04:13 PM

Sometimes you just have to wonder . . . . from a simple drag-and-drop or "create shortcut on desktop" click and you're done, we now have something which is complex, ridiculous and stupid. Instead of building on what is good - and let me assure you, simple is good - some people in the Ubuntu/Debian/Mint brain trust thought it would be better to force users to go through a multistep process which is unnecessary except that a bunch of dorks with no common sense decided it would be a good idea.

Whoever is responsible for this should be put in the public stocks every day for a week so we can all ridicule and throw tomatos at them.

Seriously.

muk · 05-16-2012, 02:30 PM

easiest way is go on this path... / usr / share / applications and copy the desired application on desktop